The Avanti was introduced officially at the 1962 Indianapolis 500 race as the honorary pace car. It’s design was that of Raymond Loewy's, probably the most renowned industrial designer of all time. It was the last ditch effort to save a failing American car company, Studebaker. The styling was a huge success but manufacturing problems and delays were abundant. The Avanti body was constructed using fiberglass body panels supplied by the same firm that supplied the Corvette panels. Supplier problems and the rush to production resulted in manufacturing problems. Quality was of utmost importance. Insistance on quality resulted in delivery delays of weeks and even months. Studebaker had done their performance homework prior to introduction. Andy Granatelli, Studebaker’s equivalent to Ford’d Carrol Shelby, was given the task to modify the existing V8 engine and improve performance. The outcome was four engine options; the R1 through R4. HP ranged from 240 for the R1 up to 400 HP for the R3. The Avanti was officially the fastest production car in the world in 1963 and 64. The demand for the car was huge but the capability to supply was marginal at best. Orders diminished, for all their models and the company was considered to be on it’s last leg. The banks refused to loan more money and the company folded thus the end of the oldest auto company in the country.

This particular Avanti is very well equipped with power steering, power disc brakes, windshield washer, air conditioning, am radio, sun band, and electric windows. It has been repainted the original Avanti maroon color (not Avanti red) with original claret interior upholstery. The maroon exterior and the claret interior were both introduced late in the 64 model run and are both very rare. Another noteworthy item is the thick back bucket seats in this car. Again, these are only seen on the last 200 or so units built.

About five years ago I located this Avanti close to Los Angeles. It was for sale by the family of the second owner. The owner had purchased the car in 1966 from a business associate in Florida. It appears from the vehicle registrations that the car was last driven in the early 80’s. The second owner died and the family simply left the car sit in the garage. Prior to my purchasing the car, the family was attempting to put the car back on the road and subsequently spent a lot of money on mechanical rebuilds such as front suspension, brakes, brake hydraulic hoses, power booster, power steering control valve and hydraulic lines, all engine mounts, along with some engine work. I replaced the front seal with a modern lip seal for instance and found that the front seal had already been replaced so I’m uncertain as to what extent the engine had been worked on by the prior owner. It does appear to have been apart as the oil pan is repainted and new freeze plugs were installed. I can’t verify what was done to the engine and the family knew little about what they had done and even less about what the father had done. It does, however, runvery strong and smooth as silk. It is also the original matching number engine # RK309, a 240 HP 289 cubic inch Stude V8. The paint on the car was totally original but faded and rubbed through in spots from polishing. The interior seat backs had some sun damage and several seams were beginning to come apart. Mileage on the Avanti was a little less than 38,000 which, according to the owners, is correct.

After purchasing the car I had it shipped back to Cincinnati. I then removed all the chrome, all the glass with the exception of the windshield, the body was then chemically stripped, primered and blocked several times using catalysed primer, it was then painted in an exact match to the original with base coat clear coat urethane, wet sanded and polished. The car was then reassembled. The door jams, the back side of the deck lid, and under the hood were left original and untouched. I replaced the vent wing rubber, the outside door to window wipe rubber, the above door rubber, the large rear glass rubber and the hood to cowl rubber. The rest of the weather stripping was in pretty good condition and seals nicely. I dismantled and cleaned the electric window motors and cleaned and greased all the window tracks. They work very well! You can release the doors from an opening of six inches and they close and latch like a bank vault. I rechromed all the bumpers and replaced the front headlight glass chrome surrounds with nos ones. All other chrome items are original and very presentable.

Under the hood: As I mentioned earlier, I replaced the front main seal with a modern one, I replaced the fuel pump with the correct Avanti hi output version, all the rubber fuel lines were replaced along with all radiator and heater hoses and a new heavy duty Avanti water pump. I also installed a new hood pad. I also checked and flushed the brake system which was over hauled by the previous owners.

Under the car: The underside of this Avanti is totally rust free from day one. The hog troughs are absolutely solid, the frame is absolutely solid, even the round rear cross member tube is as solid as the day it left South Bend. The frame has not been blasted or painted but is basically in “as received” condition.

The interior: About 35 yrs ago I procured enough of the claret upholstery material that I was able to redo all the seats in the car. They are stitched as original and look very nice. The dash is original with no cracks. I replaced the carpeting on the floors with a close match to the door and console carpet. This looks very presentable but, being somewhat critical, eventually you may want to install an entire carpet kit. The wood grain is in good condition, not mint but above average. The steering wheel has two small separation cracks which is pretty much the norm on anything but new old stock. Everything works with the exception of the radio. It works when it wants to. All instruments function, even the clock. The air conditioning blows cold and all the interior lights work. I installed a seat rail kit which enables both front seats to be moved back an additional two inches. This makes the car much more comfortable for taller drivers.

Driving: This Avanti is absolutely a pleasure to drive. I know as I’ve driven a lot of them. It starts quickly when warm and requires a couple pumps on the accelerator when cold. It shifts perfectly and securely sometimes barking the tires going into second gear. The a/c blows cold and quit. The car does not rattle over rough roads, it steers straight, corners nicely and stops on a dime. Oh yes, the tires are also new Cooper 205 75 15’s. The exhaust is tight but is showing its age. It does however still have that beautiful, only Avanti, exhaust note. There is some exhaust smoke when the car is first started or during hard acceleration after cruising for a time. This seems to be getting less and less as I drive it and may be a sign of the engine breaking in after an overhaul?

If you always wanted a Studebaker Avanti, you like the looks, the sound and the creature comforts of this decked out version, then you should seriously consider this car. The late production number, the very rare and unusual but strikingly beautiful color combination, the mature luxury options are all very hard to find in one car. This is not a 100 point show car although 95% of people might think so. It is a car you can get in and drive, enjoy and be proud to own but there are still areas that the buyer may want to improve on if so compelled.

The car is also for sale locally so I do reserve the right to sell off this auction. I expect a 10% down payment within three days with full payment in certified funds within ten days unless other arrangements are made. Please call or write with questions prior to bidding. I will try to answer all questions as completely and honestly as possible. However, this is a 44 yr old car and I express no guarantee what so ever.

My phone # is 513 207 2381. Please, no calls after 10:30 eastern standard time.